Oliver a special guest as Round ramps up for Saturday’s Kalgoorlie Cup

Outside the rich spoils of the $150,000 TABtouch Hannans Handicap (1400m), the remainder of Wednesday’s eight-event card at the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club belonged to Goldfields trainers — underpinned by Peter Fernie’s treble.

A local trio of Rickie Brown, Brett Drury and Neil Dellar had a winner each and Esperance’s Josh Brown justified the trip when Sniper’s Son ($2.15 favourite) won over 1100m in the $25,000 Built By Geoff Maiden.

It was Fernie, however, who again dominated the card while padding-out an unassailable lead for trainer of the year.

The first leg of his three winners was in race two when Natasha Faithfull piloted Lucky Lily ($2.60 favourite) to a tenacious win in the $30,000 TABtouch Handicap (1600m).

Lucy Fiore rode the Fernie-trained Secret Attire ($4.20) to victory in race five, and stablemate Dreamers Never Die ($2.30 favourite) prevailed in the last event with Chris Parnham aboard.

The success of Faithfull and Fiore continued an absorbing battle for the KBRC’s mantle of leading jockey.

They headed into Wednesday’s meeting tied on 18 points as the focus now switches to Saturday’s Kalgoorlie Cup.

In the lead-up to the carnival finale, hall of fame jockey Damien Oliver will be the special guest at Friday’s Sporstman’s Luncheon.

Oliver retired in December after three Melbourne Cup triumphs, four Caulfield Cups and a record 129 Group One victories.

Oliver’s links to Goldfields racing as a third-generation jockey are profound and include his grandfather Gerry riding Hannans Handicap winners in 1938 (Sir Grey) and 1940 (Remarc), and the 1965 Kalgoorlie Cup with Colour Correct.

Damien’s late father Ray rode 1971 Kalgoorlie Cup winner Sir Mardia and 1973 Hannans Handicap winner Pioneer Lad before he was killed after a shocking fall in the 1975 Boulder Cup.

In the Coolgardie Cup, Gerry Oliver was successful in 1939 with Cardo, while Ray Oliver rode the 1963 winner, Aftonite.

Damien Oliver rode his first winner as an apprentice at Bunbury in March 1988 and later that year made his first Hannans Handicap ride before winning it in 1993 aboard Star Shot.

Ahead of the luncheon, Oliver said he hoped to be as engaging as possible.

“I’m happy to answer any questions about my journey, which started from pretty humble beginnings in WA, to getting to the top of the sport,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to sharing some of those stories.

“I’ve previously enjoyed it (the Round), although it’s been difficult to get to, just because of the timing — being towards the start of the spring carnival in Melbourne.

“The times I have been there, I’ve enjoyed it — it’s a big part of WA racing because there’s a lot of history and tradition there for Kalgoorlie racing.

“It’s nice being able to come back this time for it.”